Does anyone have experience with revision of an elbow replacement?

[Jeanette142]

Hi, My name is Jeanette and I live in The Netherlands. I'm 45 years old and suffer from RA since I was 18. Due to this RA I've got 3 prothesis: 2 shoulder replacements ("conventional", 2003 and 2004) and 1 elbow replacement ("total", 2006)

Since I had some elbow complaints for the last few months, my orthopedic surgeon told me last week, on base of an X-ray, that a total revision of the elbow replacement is needed within 6 months. He also told me the replacement can only be changed once, so when te new replacement is loosening aswell, there will be no other option than living without this kind of joint. In the best case I will be 60 then

I've contacted several patient associations, asking for experiences with this kind of surgery, but this kind of operation is very rare in The Netherelands, for certain in combination with a present shoulder replacement. So I hope anyone in te UK can tell me:

1 ) his/her experience with this operation and/or experience with living without the elbow joint, or

2) Do you know, in case of revision, if in the UK there is an option to change only the ulna part instead if the total replacement? or

3) do you know a very good and well experienced surgeon who is not afraid of an challenge or would like to inform me of the options in the UK?

I'm a little bit desperate, so I hope there is someone who can comfort me and make te future look a little more bright with his/her story . I hope to hear from you!

Kind regards,

Jeanette op de Weegh

[helixhelix]

I haven't, but do you have a national charity for people with RA? We do in the UK (nras.org.uk) and they have a helpline and a volunteer telephone service to put people in touch with other with similar issues with RA. Unfortunately they can only call people in the UK - but maybe you have similar at home? If not, suggest they start one!

[Jeanette142 in reply to helixhelix]

Hi helixhelix, thank.you so much for youelr reply! We do have a volunteer telephone service, but as.far I know, they do not connect people with similar issues. I for sure will bring up this idea..

[Backy]

Hi Jeanette,I have had both my Elbows revised,Right complete, Left lower only.I had Right in my local General,which is not 100%.Left was done in RJ & AH Orthopaedic Hospital Oswestry.The surgeons there are very specialised. They tell you to the last detail what the procedure entails. Although Elbow Revision is not common ,the Surgeon who operated on me has done this op a few times. I am 67 had RA since 1992 , hadTotal Right Knee 15 yrs ago it starting to give pain and will need looking into soon.I had Subtalar fusion in Oswestry last year. The Surgeons in Oswestry are not afraid of a challenge,but as you live in the Netherlands this is little comfort to you,good luck and don't give up.

[Jeanette142 in reply to Backy]

Hi Backy, thank.you much for your reply! I have one question about the elbow revisions:.when did you have these surgery's and were this the first revisions or was / were these revisons of prothesis which were replacements of your elbow years before? (So the elbow emplacement which you now have; are these the 1st ones or allready the 2nd? And can those be revised.when they get loose? So thankful you replied!

[Backy in reply to Jeanette142]

Hi Jeanette,I had right total replacement in May 2009,revised in June 2014 after I damaged it.Ihad left total replacement inSept 2010,lower part revised in June2014 because it became loose and very painfull. I shall see my surgeon next year as part of on going study into Elbow Revision .There are lots of websites with information about revision surgery that I look at from time to time.I wish you good luck and hope this has helped.

[Jeanette142 in reply to Backy]

Hi backy , thank you for your.information , so.glad to hear you're doing well after revision. Is it possible for you to send me the websites about revision surgery?

Again a big thank you for your reply!

[Backy in reply to Jeanette142]

Hi Jeanette,if you type in Elbow Revision you will have plenty of choice to browse. Good luck.

[davannh]

Hi Jeanette

I have had both elbows replaced. So far have not needed a revision. My surgeon specialises in elbow and shoulder trauma. He is brilliant in my opinion and he does do private work. cambridgeorthopaedics.com/l...

[ragurl]

Hi Jeanette, I am sorry your going through this. While I cannot offer you any experience with revisions of elbow or shoulders I will pray for the best outcome for you! I thank you for sharing - it helps me to learn how others are getting through and allows me to know if I need those procedures down the line. My elbows get sore. I have had both wrist fused and it's really helped. Been dealing with RA for 29 years now like you I got it young at 20. Good luck, keep us posted 🙏🏽🙏🏽